"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly" ~Thomas Paine

I believe in the value of work. I am not afraid to dig into a difficult project or situation and give it a go. But I draw the line at difficult things that are difficult for no other reason than just to be frustratingly difficult. Like gas pumps.

Not to give away my age, but I am old enough to remember pre-digital gas pumps. I was driving (and paying for my own gas) by the time credit-card-ready gas pumps hit the market. I remember sighing with relief the first time I paid for my gas and drove away without having to enter the convenience store and look like a moron when the pubescent behind the counter asked what number pump I was using -- and I not know. Those were beautiful, simple times -- a summer of enjoyment. We drove across town to use that gas station, just to save the three minutes it took to pay.

Fast forward to... today. I filled my gas tank this morning; it was not beautiful, nor simple. In fact, it made me extremely irritable -- not to mention late for work. Gone are the days of entering your credit card and pumping gas. Now, you have to work your way through the list of options:

- Enter your credit card

- Enter your rewards card, or press 'Cancel'

- Enter your 5-digit ZIP, and press 'Enter'

- Would you like a car wash? Press 'Yes' or 'No'

- Would you like a receipt? Press 'Yes' or 'No'

- Save the economy. Please do not top off your tank. Press 'OK'

15 years later, I honestly thought we'd have fully automated gas stations, where I wouldn't even have to get out of my car. But instead, I'm finding myself spending longer and longer out in the cold, trying to get through the menu of gas-options. So long, in fact, that I've seen gas stations that play the news on tiny 2-inch screens to keep you entertained while you slowly freeze to death.